Ricardo Barros, a senior electronics systems engineer at Diebold, Inc.,
works in firmware development for the company. Firmware, which is most
often associated with electronics and robotics, combines persistent
memory with program code. This embedded programming commands devices,
such as digital watches, mobile phones and digital cameras, to perform a
specific function.
Barros has 10 years of experience in the field. He moved to the United
States from Brazil to take the job at Diebold three years ago and is
considered a rising star in his profession.
The electrical engineering field is very broad, Barros said, but he was
drawn to firmware engineering because of his interest in the low-level
processor-to-electronics interface. Tackling the toughest problems and
trying to figure out the most efficient ways to solve them is one of the
reasons he chose the field.
“I have a love for knowing how things work, as well as a high curiosity
and aptitude for physics and mathematics,” said Barros, who holds a
bachelor’s degree in electronics and telecommunications engineering. He
received his master’s degree in electrical engineering from Pontifícia
Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, one of the largest universities
in Brazil.
At Diebold, Barros develops and implements control software for media
associated with ATM machines, working from inception to use. He plans,
manages and assigns project tasks to others on the firmware team.
Electronic systems engineers use problem-solving techniques to identify
design flaws in the programming, and they implement performance
improvements with the use of intricate firmware recovery techniques.
Firmware engineers deal with changes to design and production methods.
They design detailed test plans to ensure firmware functionality, Barros
said. He also travels to customer sites to gather requirements analyses
on complex issues and projects.
“What I like best about this type of work is when I reach the testing
stage of a project. You start to see the machines operating as they are
supposed to,” he said.
What it takes to succeed
Finding skilled firmware engineers is challenging, recruiters in the
field indicate. To do this type of work, individuals need to have
extraordinarily strong programming skills and proficiency with a
computer language such as C++. It takes perseverance, team spirit,
problem-solving skills, creativity, and an eagerness to learn to succeed
as a firmware engineer explained Barros.
One of the biggest misconceptions about the job is not understanding the
complexity involved, Barros stated. Hardware engineers tend to
underestimate the firmware development effort. Complex paper handling
devices used in ATMs have programs of more than 500,000-plus lines of
code, while an average programmer writes approximately 1,000 lines of
code a month. It could take a group of 10 average programmers 50 months
to finish the firmware development for one project, a reason the field
is so challenging.
Barros’ advice for those who are interested in a career in firmware
engineering is to not spend all your efforts taking technical classes.
Skills such as public speaking, negotiation and project planning are
equally important. Technology is ever-changing, so continuing education
in the field is imperative.
Experience with electronics hardware and electrical engineering may
prove useful in locating employment, recruiters said. A large percentage
of firmware uses a C language variant or an assembly language, and
engineers need that appropriate experience, as well.
“Having a good network of colleagues and friends in the field is
paramount to success,” Barros continued. “It is also extremely important
to have a good up-to-date resume when you begin your job hunt in the
field.”
For more information
To learn more about firmware engineering career options locally, visit
the Firmware Engineers of Northeast Ohio website at www.feneo.net. The
group brings in industry experts to speak on topics of interest to
firmware engineers, as well as provides networking opportunities for its
200 members.
The software engineering field, in general, is growing and in demand,
according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Firmware engineers
often command six-figure salaries.

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